| Subject: Re: Assignment #4 |
Author:
Sean Collins
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Date Posted: 23:14:05 06/30/10 Wed
In reply to:
Dr. Magun-Jackson
's message, "Assignment #4" on 20:31:48 06/28/10 Mon
I like how Kohlberg uses Piaget's cognitive stages as a sort of guide. I definitely agree with the idea that some level of cognition is necessary for moral reasoning. On the other hand, I know several people who might be lacking in cognitive abilities but they are highly moral people. I don't necessarily agree with the idea that people need to be in full formal operations in order to be in the postconventional or any of the last stages. Trying to do the greatest good for the most people does not seem like an abstract thought. Maybe these people would not be capable of establishing new government policies but I think they are capable of grasping this concept. I know it may seem like I contradicted myself, however, I agree with the general idea of some prerequisite cognitive abilities but not as concretely as Kohlberg states. For example, I don't think my dog is capable of computing the idea of greatest good because it is very concerned with its own needs.
I also dislike the specific age requirements for stages. I actually dislike age requirements for most theories because people have such a variety of experiences. Late twenties is the prerequisite for having multiple experiences? I know kids that have experienced many more life altering events that most adults will face in a lifetime. Overall, I like the progression of stages and the descriptions for each. I do think that the stages are probably more fluid and interchangeable than the theory seems to imply. At some points, an individual might make highly competent moral decisions and make moral misjudgements at another time.
I think that I am probably closest to having aspects of stage 5 although, I don't want to put 4 1/2 because I don't share many characteristics of stage 4. I think at most times, I am concerned about other people's welfare and I am able to manipulate abstract moral problems. At the same time, I do go through stages where I am more concerned with my own well-being, so I do not want to say I'm completely in stage 5. Stage 4 didn't characterize me because I do not tend to refer to the laws while discussing moral decisions. I use my own code of morality to decipher such situations.
I liked Erikson's theory much more, and really connected to his stage development. Once again, I would think that some of these stages are fluid and people probably exhibit characteristics of multiple stages. For example, you could be a relatively well-adjusted 55 year-old woman with serious trust issues. I like how he phrases each stage as a crisis, because we all go through these life crises. It might not be overtly discernible, but we go through events that change our perspective, behaviors and ways of thinking. I also liked the idea that each stage is a choice between two alternatives. For example, elderly people can choose integrity or despair. The theory is laid out in simple terms which makes it easily understandable for both counselors/teachers and clients.
I guess that I'd put myself in stage 5, identity vs. identity confusion. I'd rather not go into too much personal details on this board, but I do have moments of experimenting with different aspects of my personality. Sometimes, I am different person depending on the crowd that I am surrounded by.
I think that Kohlberg's theory is probably more relevant to my current life because I am always considering the topic of morality. I recently went to China where I talked with many college students. China is obviously very different from the United States in government. Being a communist country, they are able to do things that would be inconceivable in the United States. While I do value the idea of democracy, it is hard to ignore that China can make some policies that might be better for the greater good of the country. One example was having drivers not being allowed to drive on some days of the week. It serves to cut down on pollution, but this type of bill would have a hard time passing in the United States. I think that I would use these theories as a general guideline. I think that they can be informative while working with students, but I won't put too much stock into categorizing them by what stage they might be in.
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